Gasoline prices have topped $4 per gallon in Florida and are higher than that at many stations across Palm Beach County, consistently one of the most expensive markets for fuel in the state.
Florida gas
prices spiked recently to $4.07 a gallon on Sept. 9, up from $3.89 the day before, AAA Auto Club reported. The increase marked the most expensive gas has ever been after Labor Day.
A drive down Indiantown Road in Jupiter on Monday morning found several stations selling gasoline at $4.19 or more. Some skirted the $4 mark by setting prices such as $3.95 if you paid in cash. A scroll through the GasBuddy app found stations in Jupiter, West Palm Beach and Delray Beach as high as $4.99 per gallon.
The reason for the rapid increase is tied to the military conflict involving Iran. The war has has heavily restricted ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
There are ways to cope, though. Here are some fuel economy tips that can lessen your pain at the pump this fall:
While you drive, you can actually save gas
AAA Auto Club on its website offers the following tips:
- Slow down and drive the speed limit. "On the highway, aerodynamic drag causes fuel economy to drop off significantly as speeds increase above 50 mph (miles per hour)."
- Avoid "jackrabbit" starts and hard acceleration. "These actions can greatly increase fuel consumption."
- Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine. "It's unnecessary and wastes fuel."
- Avoid prolonged idling in general. "If your car will be stopped for more than 60 seconds, shut off the engine to save fuel. Many newer cars have automatic engine stop-start systems that do this."
- When driving in town, adjust your speed to "time" the traffic lights. "This reduces repeated braking and acceleration that consumer additional fuel."
- When approaching a red light or stop sign, take your foot off the gas early. "Allow your car to coast down to a slower speed until it is time to brake."
- Accelerate smoothly with light to moderate throttle. "This allows the automatic transmission to upshift into higher gears sooner, reducing engine rpm (revolutions per minute) and saving fuel."
- Use cruise control to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. "However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because a loss of vehicle control could result."
- If your car has a manual transmission, upshift as soon as you can without 'lugging' the engine. "When practical, you can also save fuel by skip-shifting — for example, going directly from first gear to third."
Be efficient with your trips
- Minimize your use of air conditioning. "Even at highway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to operate the air-conditioning compressor."Plan ahead to accomplish multiple errands in one trip. "Whenever possible, travel outside high-traffic times of the day."
- If you own more than one car, use the most fuel-efficient model that meets the needs of any given journey.
- In hot weather, park in the shade or use a windshield sunscreen to lessen heat buildup inside the car. "This reduces the need for air conditioning (and thus fuel) to cool down the car."
- Remove unnecessary and bulky items from your car. "It takes more fuel to accelerate a heavier car, and the reduction in fuel economy is greater for small cars than for larger models."
- Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use. "On the highway, even an empty bike, canoe or ski rack can reduce fuel economy and a loaded rack or car-top container will have a major effect on gas mileage."
Pick a more fuel-efficient vehicle and properly maintain it
When buying a car, AAA recommends that consumers look for models that offer the best fuel economy in their class. "For most drivers, an optional larger and/or more powerful engine is unnecessary."
It is also important to maintain your car, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. "Modern cars don't need 'tune-ups,' but regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity."
Motorists should also take their car to a repair shop as soon as possible if the "check engine" light comes on. "This indicates a problem that is causing excessive emissions and is likely reducing fuel economy," according to AAA.
It is also important for motorists to keep the tires of their vehicles properly inflated. "Under-inflation reduces fuel economy," AAA notes. "More importantly, tires low on air degrade handling and braking, wear more rapidly and can overheat and blow out."
Amazon, Walmart, membership clubs offer discounts on fuel purchases
Membership warehouse clubs such as Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club offer discounted fuel at their members-only gas stations.
Walmart offers a paid subscription service called "Walmart+" that allows subscribers to save 10 cents per gallon on fuel purchases at Walmart, Exxon, Mobil and Murphy stations, as well as member prices on fuel at Sam's Club.
Use an app to find the lowest gas prices near you
The mobile app GasBuddy.com allows motorists to find gas stations with the lowest price in the area wherever they drive, but with a caveat: the prices may not always be accurate or up to the minute as they depend on reports by motorists.
In at least one case earlier this year, a motorist reported gas prices at a station in Florida, but confused the price of ethanol-free gas, which is much more expensive, with the price of regular gasoline.
In another recent case, a motorist reported the price of regular gasoline at a 7-Eleven station in Florida seen earlier in the day, but didn't actually post it on GasBuddy.com until after the station significantly raised its price.
You can download the app for free and look at local prices instantly. You can also set up a pay account that issues you a debit-like card that links to your checking account.
Other gas-saving apps are also available, including Google Apps, Waze, MapQuest Gas Prices and Gas Guru.
Clayton Park is a journalist for the USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA. He covers everything from insurance, utilities and home prices to groceries, gas and auto prices as the Florida consumer pocketbook reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to cpark@usatodayco.com. You can get all of Florida's best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Here's how to save on gas as prices soar in Palm Beach County
